The Old 78's

The Old 78's music recreates the WILD ENERGY and DRIVING FORCE of the great Hillbilly Fiddle Bands. "They sound like a freight train coming through your living room!" exclaimed Phil Jamison during Dance Week-End at The Ozark Folk Center. The duo presents fiddle, banjo and kazoo arrangements from the Ragtime, Old Time, Early Jazz, Charleston and Jug Band eras using extremely LARGE to surprisingly small banjos and Curly's 24k gold-plated kazoo! They are also widely known for their Classic Banjo Duets from the Early Ragtime period, a 3-finger style that was all the rage from about 1885-1915. They have popularized the 5-string Cello Banjo now available from Gold Tone. Their most recent collaboration with 2 fabulous musicians, Ray and Melanie Palmer, introduces the addition of Baritone Sax, Clarinet, and Banjo-Mandolin to their varied repertoire - a sound that must be heard to be believed!

The Old 78's Schedule

Upcoming Dates

No upcoming dates scheduled, but please check back soon.

Previous Dates

2013

August 17

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
You may have heard that Ray, Mel, Paul and I will be continuing to play the monthly contradance, along with other gigs. While we all are missing Curly, we are very glad and excited to be playing the same repertoire with Ray stepping into Curly's fiddle shoes. Please join us Saturday night for the next chapter in the dance music for our steadfast Fayetteville friends on the 3rd Saturday of each month!

July 20

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
This dance will be in honor of Curly, who passed away July 4th, 2013. Please come by to help us remember our friend and to celebrate his life in music and dance.

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Have some summer fun in our air-conditioned, wood floored dance hall! See you there!

May 18

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Curly, Mel and I will be backing up Ray's Cajun fiddling for the Cajun Dance Workshop, 6-7:00 before the contradance, Saturday, May 18th. Ray's usually playing fiddle with an ACTUAL Cajun band (Snake Eyes and The Bug Band (http://snakeeyesandthebugband.com/). Hope to see you at the workshop and afterwards, 7-10:00 for the contradance!

April 20

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
OOPS! I've been forgetting to update our website schedule! Come to the dance - 3rd Saturday of the month - April 20th. Special guests may be playing with us!

2012

September 27

Crystal Bridges Art Night Out - Old Time Radio ShowCrystal Bridges Great HallBentonville, AR
Music, Food, Art, Dancing - it has it all! We are excited to be included in the evening's program! Check out the website for details. At 7:00, we'll be playing a 45 minute set of music from the mid 1920's and 30's plus one of our signature pieces included in the interview by Kyle Kellams.
http://crystalbridges.org/Education/public-programs/Adults/Art-Night-Out

Ozarks Celebration FestivalSMU campus in SpringfieldSpringfield, MO
The Ozarks Celebration Festival will feature many musicians, dancers, artists, crafts and traditional food arts - bring the family! We have 2 sets on Sunday at 11:00 to play some tunes and again at 3:30 to play dance music for Pat's Clogging Studio.

August 24

Fayetteville Roots FestivalWalton Arts Center, Fayetteville Listening RoomFayetteville, AR
We are so excited to be included in this year's Roots Festival! Please come by for our set from 3:40-4:20 PM, featuring tunes from our latest CD, "The Women Wear No Clothes At All". Please dress for the occasion - we will too!

August 18

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Curly and I were at Clifftop at the beginning of the month (and won 3rd place in the Neo-Traditional Band Contest with The Retro-Ramblers!) and now we're really ready to play! Come and dance!

July 14

The Old Time Banjo FestivalThe Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mt. Vernon AveAlexandria, VA
We are jumping-up-and-down excited to, once again, be included in Cathy Fink's Old Time Banjo Festival outside of Washington, DC. We got rave reviews from our last performance there by The Washington Post and hope to blow the doors off the place with Mel's baritone sax, a fabulous selection of banjos and Curly's gold-plated kazoo. See you there? We have an ensemble workshop on Sunday the 15th, 12-2:00 so sign up to get some up-close-and personal demonstrations and instruction from The Old 78's. Hope to see you there!

July 13

House Concert at Pete and Kellie's (of The Orpheus Supertones)
Pete and Kellie's homeOxford, PA
Pete and Kellie have, again, graciously offered to host a house concert at their home! This time, Ray and Mel will be joining us and I'm pretty sure the Baritone Sax will shake the rafters! We have some great tunes, fun instruments, and a repertoire that will make you smile. I'm pretty sure guests can bring some snacks and beverages to share.

July 12

House Concert
At Susan Sterngold and Mike Resnick's HomeSuffern, NY
Susan and Mike have opened their home to us for a Potluck and house concert and we are glad that our schedule has finally worked out that we are in their neck of the woods! The meet and greet and potluck are scheduled for 5:00 with concert to begin at 7:00. Suggested donation - $20.00 Hope to see you there! Susan and Mike host some of the best music for musicians traveling up and down the East Coast. This is always a huge effort on the part of the host and we're honored to be included on this trip!

Fayetteville Contra Dance VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
The dancing will be fast tonight - we'll just have returned from teaching and playing for many hours at The Blue Ridge Old Time Music camp. Bring your dancing shoes!

June 3

Blue Ridge Mountain Old Time Week at Mars Hill CollegeMars Hill CollegeMars Hill, NC
June 3-9, 2012: Curly will be teaching advanced Ragtime Fiddle styles and techniques with me as his trusty staff musician. It should be an awesome class for fiddlers interested in this genre of Old Time tunes. In the afternoon, we will be again teaching the ever popular Banjo Orchestra Extravaganza! We've got some good tunes picked out and want all levels of banjo and mandolin players to join the fun (you too, banjo-uke players). There will be separate instruction for beginners so don't be shy! We will also bring a variety of banjos for folks to try out - cello banjo, banjo mandolin, banjeaurine, and some nylon string, skin head 5-strings.

Second Saturday Concert Series
Siloam Springs Outdoor GazeboSiloam Springs, AR
The Old 78's Big Band is excited to be included in this concert series hosted by Bill and Deanna Lisk - a labor of love, to be sure! They have brought in talent from all over the country and we are looking forward to being part of the 2012 lineup.

May 6

Artosphere Trail Mix Concert Tour
Lake Fayetteville Trail, Prairie Site, 1:00-2:10 PMFayetteville, AR
We are very excited to be part of Fayetteville's Artosphere celebration and hope to see you out on the Trail for fun, exercise, and Music!

May 5

Artosphere Trail Mix Concert TourCrystal Bridges, Sycamore Grotto, 1:00-3:30 PMBentonville, AR
This is so much fun to be included in the Artosphere Trail Mix Concert Tour! Crystal Bridges will be a hopping place on Saturday - we look forward to seeing you there to join in the excitement!

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
It would be very appropriate to come in green to this dance. Bring snacks to share if you're in the mood! Let's dance!

February 18

fayetteville Contra Dance VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Our January dance was the biggest ever! It contributed enough funds to buy a new mic/headset for our callers - which will make it way easier for them to call and dance at the same time. Come out to join the fun!

January 21

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Come to dance on the first contra of the new year! We are all anxious to play - I'm sure you're anxious to dance - Whoopee!

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Our dear friends, Pete Peterson and Kellie Allen (of Orpheus Supertones fame) will be joining us for the November dance! They will also perform a few selections from their CD, "I'll Never Forsake You" in addition to adding their instruments to the dance. Don't miss it!

October 15

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
It's an early Halloween dance - some folks will come in costume - will you?

September 17

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
We will be well practiced after dance weekend at The Ozark Folk Center so come to dance it up in Fayetteville! Ray might be playing the bowed cello for this one.

September 9

Arkansas Annual Dance Festival, Ozark Folk CenterOzark Folk CenterMountain View, AR
This is one of our most favorite gigs! Dance and music for 3 days, September 9-11th. Ray and Melanie will be joining us for this event and we are so excited to have the big band sound for this dance weekend. Come and dance and bring your friends!

August 20

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Curly is feeling great and recuperating well after his surgery! Come to the dance - he will be fiddling with the rest of The Old 78's!

July 16

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Curly is scheduled for surgery on July 13th so Ray will be taking over the fiddling for this dance. Mel and I will do what we do - big banjos and the bari sax! See you then!

July 16

CANCELLED!!!! Jammin' Java due to surgery
Jammin' Java Patio off the SquareFayetteville, AR
CANCELLED Jammin' Java due to surgery. We're sorry to have to cancel this gig and hope to be rescheduled next year!

Blue Ridge Mountain Old Time Week at Mars Hill CollegeMars Hill CollegeMars Hill , NC
Curly will be teaching Southern fiddling, I'll be teaching beginner banjo, and together we will shake the banjo tree and teach the course "Banjo Orchestra Extravaganza"! The course descriptions will be up on the Mars Hill website at a future date. Keep checking.

June 4

John C. Campbell Folk School Contradance
Brasstown, NC
Bob Dalsemer will be calling this dance and we're looking forward to playing for our NC friends!!

June 3

John C. Campbell Folk School House Concert
Brasstown, NC
Bob Dalsemer invited us to perform for a house concert and play for a dance on our way through NC. This will be our first trip to Brasstown and we're excited to be included!

June 2

The Old Farmers BallWarren Wilson Thursday DanceAsheville , NC
Curly & I have booked some dances on our way to The Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week. We are excited to also announce that Hilary Dirlam will be playing bass with us for this dance. Please come by to say hi!

May 30

The Perennial Plate Video Episode - visit to Sweden Creek FarmSweden Creek Farm and Ozark Natural FoodsKingston and Fayetteville, AR
Daniel Klein and Mirra Fine traveled to our farm to film the food and music both here and at Ozark Natural Foods! Please check out the video episode on the web. It should include a segment of our newest band collaboration with Ray and Melanie Palmer.

May 27

Kingston Music on the Square
On the historic public square!Kingston, AR
Ray and Melanie will be joining us to play for this lovely annual event to benefit the Kingston Library. Our set will begin around 7:30-7:45. Please come out and support our library!

F'ville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
The contradance festivities are growing by leaps and bounds. Bring your friends and some snacks to share. We generally have 30-45 dancers for a swinging fun time.

May 13

The Old 78's concert 3:30-4:30 PM at Ozark Natural FoodsOzark Natural Foods - Deli CafeFayetteville, AR
We are excited to be hosting Daniel Klein of The Perennial Plate on his US Tour! He will include Sweden Creek Farm and Ozark Natural Foods, Shiitake Mushrooms and The Old 78's on this leg of his journey. Please come out at 3:30 for our music set and at 5:00 for Daniel's cooking demo in the ONF Deli.

April 16

Fayetteville Monthly Contradance (3rd Saturday)
VA Auditorium, VA Medical CenterFayetteville, AR
Ray and Melanie will also be joining us this month so come to hear and dance to the "BIG BAND" sound!

March 19

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Auditorium at the VA Medical CenterFayetteville, AR
This is the Mad Hatter dance so please wear a crazy hat!

Tales From The South House ConcertThe Starving Artist Cafe on Tin Roof night!Little Rock, AR
We will be playing from 6:00-7:00 and precede the special guest author for the evening. This is a sold out event and we are excited to be included!

Fayetteville Farmers Ball (contra & square dance)This event has been cancelled due to snow and icy road conditionsFayetteville, AR
CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
Sorry folks! The icy back roads and today's snow make traveling too dangerous. We will reschedule, however, so look for updates here, posters around town, and KUAF's calendar of events. Stay safe and warm!
Melanie (on baritone sax) and Ray (on banjo-mandolin and fiddle) will join us for this first contradance at the Organic Lounge. Harold Watson will be calling and we hope to bring a bunch of our regular Saturday night dancers to make this one a big success.

2010

December 18

Fayetteville Contra Dance
vA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)fayetteville, AR
Our December dance is always a festive party dance. Please bring your friends, along with some goodies to share, and let's dance the night away!

November 20

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
This contradance will be in special recognition of Peter Lippincott of Mudpuppy Pottery. He has been awarded the Arkansas Living Treasure Award! He will bring some of his beautiful pottery for sale and perform a special concert during the break. Please join us in thanking Peter for sharing his artistic and musical talents with our community! There will be snacks and beverages. Please feel free to bring additional goodies to share.

October 16

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Ray and Melanie Palmer will be joining us for this dance! Our new collaboration with these fine musicians will include baritone sax, clarinet, banjo-mandolin, cello banjo and another fiddler! We will also be video-ing a small set and hope the dancers will help to make it a lively performance!

September 18

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
This is a special dance to celebrate the life of Margaret Secks, one of our longtime dancers. She recently passed away and we'd like to hold this dance in her honor. Please bring snacks to share and any pictures that you might have to share. We're also hoping that Judy, Margaret's mother, will come by to join us.

September 12

Ozarks Celebration Festival
SMU campus in SpringfieldSpringfield, MO
We will play an opening set at noon for Big Smith featuring our Classic Banjo pieces and Ragtime and Early Jazz Fiddle tunes. We'll play for Pat's Clogging Studio and Celtic Fire Irish dancers from 3:30-5:00, which always draws a huge crowd!

September 11

Arkansas Dance Weekend at The Ozark Folk Center
THe Ozark Folk CenterMountain View, AR
This is also a reunion party to celebrate dear friends! We will play a set on the Saturday night show and for part of the big Saturday night dance!

Fayetteville Contra Dance
VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
The VA Auditorium is a beautiful room with a wood dance floor! Bring snacks to share, if you want, and come to have fun Contra Dancing!

Fayetteville Contra Dance VA Building 3 Auditorium, off of College Ave. (71B)Fayetteville, AR
Well Friends - we have been thru a lot since January 2010. Curly has had 4 critical surgeries and we're happy to say he's recovering well! We will be playing the April dance at a new location and can't wait to see everyone! We will continue to play the monthly dances as long as Curly is feeling up to it (he'll be undergoing chemo until October, 2010). See you at the dance!

March 14

Folk School at The Ozark Folk Center March 14th-19th
The Ozark Folk CenterMountain View, AR
We always have a great time at this event! I will be teaching very beginner clawhammer banjo at Folk School. Curly will join me mid-week and we'll play for a few dances, an afternoon workshop, and for the instructors' concert on Thursday night.

February 20

Fayetteville Contra Dance
Trinity Methodist Church basementFayetteville, AR
Our dances are the 3rd Saturday of every month so add it to your calendar now for the entire year!

2009

December 20

Headwaters School Winter Solstice Party and Contra Dance
Headwaters School BuildingRedstar, AR
This is a family event and potluck, followed by a family friendly contradance for humans of all sizes. We think that Harold will be calling and Liz will be helping to "hold it together"!

December 19

Fayetteville Contra Dance
TRinity Methodist Church basementFayetteville, AR
This will be our last dance of 2009 and will be a party dance! Bring treats to share and plenty of Holiday Spirit!

Trinity Methodist Church 50th Anniversary Party 11:-3:00
Trinity Methodist Church Fayetteville, AR
We will play a music set from 11:00-12:00 and a contradance from 2-3:00. There will be free food, games, and more entertainment by all of the dance groups that meet at the church including Irish, Spanish, and International dancers plus a music set by Peter Lippincott.

The Ozarks Celebration Festival
Missouri State UniversitySpringfield, MO
We are schedule for a concert at The Max Hunter Stage from 12-12:45 followed by Big Smith! We will be playing at the Dance Stage from 3:30-5:00 playing for Pat's Clogging Studio and Celtic Fire Irish dancers! Pat and Kevin are wonderful friends and we are always excited to be included!

"Play Well With Others" WorkshopThe House of Musical TraditionsTakoma Park, MD
12:00-2:00 pm -- Curly Miller & Carole Ann Rose: "Play Well With Others: Ensemble Playing"
Bring a banjo (any kind), fiddle, guitar, mandolin or whatever and learn how to join an ensemble. Should you play rhythm? Lead? How does an ensemble make an arrangement? This is not a workshop on jamming, but more about how to make your sound interface with others to create a wonderful ensemble sound. An ensemble or 2 will be formed during the workshop for "the real deal

July 11

Cathy Fink's Old Time Banjo Festival Birchmere Music HallAlexandria, VA
We've been invited to play at one of the premier banjo gatherings! Clarke will be joining us and we have built a brief tour around this event, including a Friday night house concert at Pete and Kellie's of the Orpheus Supertones and a Sunday workshop at The House of Musical Traditions.

July 10

House Concert at Pete and Kellie's (of The Orpheus Supertones)
Limited seating, for reservations call Kellie at 267-879-9767)Oxford, PA
Pete and Kellie have graciously offered to host a house concert for us, followed by a jammin' party! We will also be staying with them while in PA.

Mars Hill Old Time Music Camp, June 7-13th, 2009
Mars Hill CollegeMars Hill, NC
Curly and I will be teaching the Repertoire Class and working with Marcy Marxer to perform some of our Classic Banjo repertoire with Marcy Playing the Gold Tone 4-string Cello Banjo

The Ozark Folk Center Folk School Mini-Session, March 22-24, 2009The Ozark Folk CenterMountain View, AR
I'll be teaching beginner clawhammer banjo for a quick 3-day session, primarily for those who may not have had time to fit music classes in with all the other activities offered during folk school.

The Ozark Folk Center Folk School Week, March 15-20, 2009The Ozark Folk CenterMountain View, AR
I will teach beginner clawhammer banjo for the entire week. Curly and I will play for a workshop (Thursday afternoon), 2 of the dances, in the instructor concert Thursday evening, and join in for the night jams and parties!

February 21

Folk Alliance Showcase Alley Official Showcase
Knoxville Room hosted by The Folk AllianceMemphis, TN
Saturday Evening 7:30-8:00 PM - This will be our big showcase of the event! Classic banjo, Fiddle Tunes and some early Jazz singing tunes will be included in our set.

February 21

Folk Alliance
The Ozark Room Hosted by Still on the HillMemphis, TN
Saturday Night 12:30-1:00 AM (really Sunday morning): We are excited to be included in another spot in the Ozark Room hosted by Kelly and Donna!

February 20

Folk Alliance
Cynthia's Music showcase hosted by Cynthia BennettMemphis, TN
Friday Night 12:30 - 1:00 AM - We are happy to be included in Cynthia's showcase!

February 20

Folk Alliance
Cynthia's Music session for trad musicians from Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the USMemphis, TN
Friday late night 2:00-3:00 AM - (really Saturday morning) Cynthia's Music will be hosting a jam for Trad musicians which will also, happily, include us!

February 20

Folk Alliance
Folk Alliance Contra Dance, Caller Joan Kelly plus some of the Memphis Contra DancersMemphis, TN
Friday afternoon 2:00 PM - We will again play for the contra dance and are looking forward to meeting up with the Memphis dancers, Folk Alliance dancers, and caller Joan Kelly

February 19

Folk Alliance
The Ozark Room Hosted by Still on the HillMemphis, TN
Thursday night 12:30 - 1:00 AM we will be in The Ozark Room hosted by Kelly and Donna of Still on the Hill. It will be beautifully decorated with Ozark Quilts so please come by and check it out!

February 18

2009 Folk Alliance Showcase on Performance AlleyMemphis Marriott Hotel and Convention CenterMemphis, TN
Feb. 18-22: Curly & I were selected to perform for The Folk Alliance's Showcase Alley, play for the contra dance and possibly for a Fiddle and Banjo Workshop, plus many other workshops hosted by Folk Alliance members. Not to mention our own late night j

February 18

Folk Alliance
Green Music Showcase - Hosted by Ryan MintzMemphis, TN
Wednesday evening 9:00-9:30 PM - Our show will be one of many musicians who support a green agenda. Our primary one being, of course, Organic Farming!

February 18

Folk Alliance
Concerts in Your Home - showcase hosted by Fran Snyder Memphis, TN
Wednesday night 10:30-10:45 PM Fran showcases selected members of Concerts in Your Home. Check out his website and the huge number of House Concert performers and hosts!

2008

December 21

Solstice Celebration at Headwaters School - Family Celebration and probable music jam
The Headwaters Home SchoolRedstar, AR

As of September, our new CD available on CD Baby and a Great Review From Famehttp://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p05050.htm,
Our CD can be ordered from CD Baby and will be available on our website in the near future. Please check out the review and listen to the cuts at CD Baby!

October 18

Fayetteville Contra Dance
Trinity Methodist ChurchF'ville, AR

October 10

CD RELEASE PARTY - yes - our new CD is now available!
Mike Shirkey's GoodFolk Productions, CD Release Party Friday, October 10th, 8:00-10:00 P.M. at Mike Shirkeyâ€™s GoodFolk Productions, 229 N. Block (479-521-1812), Tickets $12.00Fayetteville, AR
Clarke, Curly & Carole Anne will be joined by musicians and dancers, banjos of all sizes, and Curly's new gold-plated kazoo for a fun evening of music, song, and dance!

September 17

Walnut Valley Festival at WINFIELD!
Winfield Fair GroundsWinfield, KS
We've been invited back due to audience demand and were told by the promoters that we "added a new facet to the festival!"

Wheatland Music Festival
Wheatland Festival GroundsRemus, MI
Curly & I will have workshops on the Main Stage, play for the Saturday evening contra and will perform on the Main Stage Saturday night!

August 22

Berryville Contra Dance
Farmer's Community CenterB'ville, AR

August 16

Fayetteville Contra Dance
Trinity Methodist ChurchF'ville, AR

July 30

Clifftop Old Time Gathering
camping from July 30th until August 3rdClifftop, WV

July 8

Ozark Folk Center String Band Week
Ozark Folk Center State ParkMountain View, AR
The week starts out with The Chocolate Drops on July 5th!

May 30

Kingston Music on the Square
Kingston Town Square (outside)Kingston, AR
Paul and Skye McGowen will join us on various banjos, washtub bass and dancing. The Cave Mountain Boys are also scheduled to play a few tunes. Proceeds will help fund our Kingston Library so come on out!

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November 30

Headwaters School Winter Solstice Party and Contra Dance
Headwaters School BuildingRedstar, AR
This gathering will be mostly the family and friends of the Headwaters homeschool group. We will play contradance music, Sara White will be calling, followed by a potluck and music jam.